ABRAHAM & the PATRIARCHS: Our Fathers of Faith Homework (due Thurs., 3/8) Read Gen. 12, 15-16, & 21:1-21; NB: complete RQs (due ., /) Have skits prepared very well!!! (due Fri., 3/9) Read Gen. 22:1-19 and complete RQs Creation… Generates Creation… God makes things good Generates God makes people good De-Creation… De-Creation… Alienates Self > couple ashamed God > couple hide Nature>couple to suffer/die People>Cain murders Abel De-Creation… Alienates Self couple ashamed God couple hide Nature couple to suffer/die People Cain murders Abel DisintegratesSin spreads Familytrees Sin destroys Flood story Re-Creation… God calls Abraham Reintegrates God covenants Abraham Review: Holy Skit! (10 pts) Abram: Life of a Nomad Abram born in Ur, important Mesopotamian city As young man, went w/ father > Haran In Haran, at age 75, A hears God;s call to go to Canaan Abram’s Birthplace Abram’s Journey Promises to Abram 1. Land and a Nation 2. Kingship and a Name 3. Blessing for all Nations Christian Interpretation of Promises Fulfilled 1. Land and a Nation Fulfilled in covenant with Moses 2. Kingship and a Name Fulfilled in covenant with David 3. Blessing for all Nations Fulfilled in and through Jesus Christ Covenant: Solemn promise Sealed with a solemn ritual Biblical Name Change Sign of new mission or calling (vocation, fr. Latin vocare= to call) For example: – Abram (“the Father is exalted”) > Abra’ham (“father of many [nations]”) – Sarai (“princess”) > Sar’ah(“Queen”) Ritual of Circumcision- Why? Health purposes? Mark of identity? Acceptance into manhood? Sign of covenant commitment between parents & God (best explanation) Sacrifice of Isaac Meanings? – Basic: Contains all that faith involves – Story is a “type” (Gk., typos) = “pre-presentation” of something yet to come, Old Testament > New Testament Typology of Genesis 22 Isaac Christ A father offers his beloved son The Father offers His Beloved Son The son submits to The Son submits to the father’s will the Father’s will Isaac carries the wood for his own sacrifice Jesus carries his own wooden cross Faith involves… Great trust Constant struggle Times of “darkness” Reflect on This! What are 3 things you think teenagers struggle the most with as they try to live their faith ? What do you question most? What is 1 very practical thing you can do to strengthen your faith? Westerhoff’s “Styles of Faith” Experienced Faith – Felt or “picked up” from others – Eg. praying with family, watching others’ way of living their faith Westerhoff’s “Styles of Faith” Affiliative Faith – Faith of a group – Believing by belonging – Eg. parish community Westerhoff’s “Styles of Faith” Searching Faith – Faith which struggles with doubts, fears or questions – Typical at times of change or crisis (teens, mid-life, etc.) – Eg. teens’ questions about Church’s teachings Westerhoff’s “Styles of Faith” Owned Faith – Mature faith, “tried & true” – A faith truly one’s own – Eg. joining a youth group or praying by choice The Patriarchs Abraham Isaac Esau Ishmael Jacob(Israel) 12 sons (forerunners of 12 tribes of Israel) Arabs Muslims Isaac & Jacob story illustrates… God’s way of dealing with “biblical” people – Respects their free will – Weaves their sinfulness into plan of salvation Jewish belief in power of spoken word – Once uttered, words cannot be revoked – Like a shot arrow; cannot be “un-shot”